156B Week 7

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • Gauge Holder Drawing

    • Working with Mike Neill, Sr. Mechanical Engineer at ReoTemp

    • Added revision tables, implemented ReoTemp part/drawing numbers, second version of funnel plate w/out vent gap

    • Added new bearing form - PTFE tube on vertical rods as sleeves

      • Allows CNC bearing block to be clearance slots

• Color Sensor

  • Shipped, will arrive 5/12

    • PLC integration 80% complete, working on the black gauge holders using previous color's fill time 

  • Heating tape

    • Sponsor suggests directly immersing the probe inside the tube

    • Rough design: Glycerin tank -> flexible vinyl tubing -> copper tube section with heating tape attached -> vinyl tube to pump tubing -> pump tubing -> probe fitting -> vinyl tube to nozzle

  • Off-loading Roller Tables

    • Tested at Reotemp on Wednesday and Friday, too much friction during switching of direction (from combo of guiding rails and going against the base roller's intended direction). 

    • Revisions pending testing with new conveyor belt and possible ball bearing floor design

• *Second power conveyor and replacement belts arriving next week

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • 5/6 & 5/8 Testing

    • PLC with Arduino Integration had issues

      • The pulse and direction signals were sending random signals regardless if the pump was activated or not

      • Tried testing with control of positive signal (constant voltage signal was 0 during pumping and 1 when not pumping)

  • Heating Tape

    • • Recorded glycerin output temperatures with heating tape settings at lowest mark (non-numerical) and various Arduino delays (5-15 ms)

    • Curve table

      • Tested low friction guide rails -> worked better than last time, still needs improvement (changing guides, base roller design, or both). More testing is needed.

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • PLC/Arduino Integration (Justin, Desi, Elaine)

    • More debugging needed, previous issues with connection between PLC and Arduino still exists (in contact with previous team to help debug together) Ideally come up with 2 other software designs before next testing.

    • Finish up first code version for the color sensor with black gauge holders

• Work on "push-button" wiring and software design (Justin, Ethan)

  • Add another button that will function as "push-to-pump"

• Heating Tape full configuration (Ethan, Desi, Elaine)

  • • Finish researching insulation and purchase it

    • Finish researching fitting needed to integrate temperature probe and purchase it

  • Roller Table Design (Elaine, Desi, Ethan)

    • Finish BOM/design for back-up ideas (pre-made curves, ball bearing design)

    • Test 180 curve with new conveyor belt and refined guide curves 

  • Second draft of report (Justin, Ethan, Desi, Elaine)

    • Make major revisions from professor and TA's comments. Generate detailed analysis and graphs from previous testing. 

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • 5/8/20 Meeting with Sponsor: Brian and Eric

    • Team suggested thermowell but sponsor said it reacts too slowly because it's metal

    • Suggested threading a probe inside and welding it to prevent leaks

      • quicker response than thermowell

      • find 2 barbs + NPT fitting; can put NPT thread on probe (1/4 '' male NPT)

• 5/8 Email exchange with Mike Neill 

  • Requested revision tables to bearing block and base plate drawings 

  • Requested drawing numbers in the part number of the BOM

  • Team provided requested information 

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Meeting with Darren and Prof. Tustaniwskyj (mainly about first draft of report)

    • Start abstract

    • A few wrong references

    • Delete table 1 (comparison between previous group and our group)

    • Write everything in past tense

    • Write separate section with heating tape

    • Move electrical consumption to another section

    • Impact on society needs discussion on minimizing risk

    • professional responsibility section needs updates

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • N/A

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • 180 curve roller table friction is still a concern, will be able to test with the new conveyor belt on Wednesday. 

  • Non-colored gauge holder might not be able to use the previous color reading's information.

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • N/A

Schedule

• • 5/15/2020 Second draft of Report due

  • 5/18/2020 Preliminary Design Review

  • Updated Gantt chart.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Total spent: $2449.25

  • Remaining: $7550.75

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • First draft of report under revision.